- Rajakaruna assures uninterrupted distribution
- Says diesel distribution increased on Saturday
- CPC and LFDA to hold talks tomorrow
While the fuel distributors are set to discuss sectoral issues with the Government, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) stated that fuel distribution has increased on Saturday (1), compared to the previous week.
Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (2), CPC Chairperson J. A. Rajakaruna said that the fuel supply had been doubled compared to the supply reported on Friday (28 February). He also noted that there would be no issues regarding fuel supply, as distribution is still functioning normally.
He made these remarks while fuel distributors warned of halting orders in response to the Government’s decision to abolish the 3% discount provided to them and replace it with a new formula. According to the CPC, the new formula for fuel distributors is expected to offer them greater benefits than the previous 3% discount.
Furthermore, Rajakaruna stated that the CPC distributed 8,568 metric tonnes (MT) of diesel on Saturday, representing an increase in distribution. “The day before yesterday (28 February), we only distributed 4,322 MT. On that same day, we distributed 3,221 MT of Octane-92 Petrol, and yesterday (1 March), it was 7,878 MT. For Super Diesel, we distributed 86 MT the day before yesterday and 200 MT yesterday. Additionally, we distributed 283 MT of Octane-95 Petrol yesterday,” he said.
He also noted that the office bearers of the association who claimed they were halting order placements had still distributed fuel. “We received orders without any obstruction. According to the orders we have received up to now, there will be no issue with supply in the coming days,” he said. He added that a decision would be made after tomorrow (4) if the associations continued to sabotage the supply.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media, Board Member of the Lanka Fuel Distributors’ Association (LFDA) D. V. Shantha Silva stated that they will discuss with the CPC tomorrow, after which a decision will be made.
LFDA Vice President Kusum Sandanayaka was not available to comment.